Mar 17, 2026 Commissioners Court

LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE WHO'S JOINING US TODAY.

I'D

[ Call to Order]

IT'S OUR REGULAR COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING.

HERE IT IS, MARCH THE 17TH, AND WE'RE AT ANNEX.

AS USUAL, WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH THE INVOCATION AND OUR PLEDGES IF YOU JOIN ME AND STAND, PLEASE.

LET'S PRAY.

LORD, THANK YOU.

GIVE US GRACE, LORD, UH, HELP US TODAY.

HELP US ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS YEAR WITH, WITH YOUR GUIDANCE IN OUR, IN OUR WORK HERE.

LORD, PLEASE BLESS ALL THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND ALL OUR MILITARY AND, UH, KEEP US SAFE, CHRIST, AND WE PRAY.

AMEN.

I IGI, SEE THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION, NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLACE TO THE LEAD TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD.

ONE INDIVIDUAL.

OKAY, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ROUTINE CORRESPONDENCE THIS MORNING? NO ANNOUNCEMENTS OF ANYTHING COMING UP.

AGENDA, WE HAVE TWO ITEMS, A TO DISCUSS EXCEPT THE COMMISSIONER'S REGULAR COURT MEETINGS FOR MARCH THE 10TH OF 26TH AND DISCUSS AND ACCEPT THE STAR RIDERSHIP TRANSIT REPORT.

THE CONSENT

[2. CONSENT AGENDA]

Y'ALL HAVE ALL HAD THESE.

ANY CORRECTIONS NEED TO BE MADE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF? NO NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU.

MR. PHILLIPS MAKES A MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. TROLL MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

REVIEW AND CONSIDER ADDING TEXAS CONNECT AS AN ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY SOLUTION FOR THE INCREASED YIELD AND DIVERSIFICATION.

MOTION AND CARRIES MR. CHUCK,

[3. Chuck Mohnkern: Review and consider adding Texas Connect as an additional liquidity solution for the increased yield and diversification.]

A MORNING, CHUCK.

THAT'S, THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE'RE HERE TO, UH, GET YOUR APPROVAL ON THAT.

I'VE GOT, UH, DAVID ZEMAN HERE ALSO, WHO IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT, UH, TEXAS CONNECT, BUT, UH, WE'RE ADDING ANOTHER POOL, UM, SO WE CAN DIVERSIFY, SPREAD THE MONEY OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE TO, SO WE DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING ALL IN ONE OR TWO PLACES.

AND THEN, UH, WE ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE TO US FROM TEXAS CONNECT, AND THAT'S WHAT DAVID CAN, UH, FILL YOU IN ON IF YOU HAVE THAT.

DAVID, YOU'LL COME FORWARD PLEASE.

CHUCK AND I VISITED ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK AND WE WENT OVER A FEW ITEMS. I THINK IT'S BENEFICIAL THAT WE DO THIS.

I THINK IT WILL BE CHUCK'S THE ONE THAT FOUND OUT.

SO MORNING, DAVID.

GOOD MORNING Y'ALL.

IF YOU'D SHARE WITH US SOME OF THE BENEFITS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WITH YOU GUYS VERSUS THE OTHERS.

YEAH, DEFINITELY.

WELL, I APPRECIATE YOU, APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S TIME THIS MORNING.

UH, TEXAS CONNECT IS VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER POOL IN TEXAS.

UM, IT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT SAME DAY LIQUIDITY.

THERE'S NO MINIMUM BALANCE.

THERE'S NO FUNDING REQUIREMENTS, UH, ADHERES TO ALL THE STANDARDS OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT OF TEXAS.

UH, THE BIGGEST TWO BIGGEST THINGS I WOULD SAY OTHER THAN DIVERSIFICATION AS CHUCK MENTIONED, IS NUMBER ONE, IT IS THE HIGHEST YIELDING POOL IN ALL OF TEXAS.

UH, HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW.

UM, AND SECOND MOST IMPORTANT, I WOULD SAY IT WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE COST SAVINGS FOR THE COUNTY.

UH, BECAUSE IF YOU UTILIZE OUR POOL FOR BOND PROCEEDS, UH, ARBITRAGE REBATE IS COMPLETELY COMPLIMENTARY.

UM, I BELIEVE THE COUNTY'S PAYING ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO $15,000 RIGHT NOW.

UH, SO THAT WOULD IMMEDIATELY SAVE UP $15,000 FOR YOU GUYS.

YES, IT'S, YES MA'AM.

JUST LIKE A RE REFINANCING OUR BONDS AND SAVE WHAT, 80 SOMETHING THOUSAND A YEAR.

MM-HMM.

SO THAT'S GOOD.

THANK YOU FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

NOPE.

THANKS ALL.

MS. BRANDY, YOU'RE THE OFFICER.

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? SOUNDS GREAT.

HI BRANDY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WE'VE CONNECTED ON THE PHONE.

IT'S FIRST TIME I'M SEEING YOU IN PERSON.

ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU CHUCK, FOR LOOKING INTO THIS AND OKAY.

UH, YOU HELP THE COUNTY OUT EVERY WAY IN WHICH YOU CAN AND THAT'S MUCH APPRECIATED BY US AND THE TAXPAYERS.

YEP.

NEED A MOTION FOR MR. CHUCK? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

HAVE A MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER MOORE TO HAVE A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND MR. LA MAKE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR AND SAY AYE.

MOTION CARRIED.

THANK YOU CHUCK, VERY MUCH.

NUMBER FOUR

[4. Chuck Mohnkern: Discuss/Consider the annual review of the Kaufman County's Investment Policy as required by the Public Funds Investment Act.]

IS YOURS TO DISCUSS.

CONSIDER THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE KAMAN COUNTY'S INVESTMENT POLICY IS REQUESTED BY THE, UH, IS REQUIRED BY THE PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT ACT.

YES, SIR.

AND THAT EXPLAINS WHY I'M HERE ON THIS ITEM.

I'VE GOT THE, UH, COFFIN COUNTY INVESTMENT POLICY HERE FOR YOUR APPROVAL.

ANNUAL APPROVAL.

UH, A FEW, UH, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE.

WE HAVE UPDATED THE, UH, UH, EDUCATIONAL, UH, ACHIEVEMENTS OF, UH, BOTH MYSELF AND THE, UH, ASSISTANT TREASURER AND WE'VE ADDED, UH, TEXAS CONNECT IN HERE AS AN AUTHORIZED POOL.

SO IF, UH, WE CAN GET APPROVAL ON THAT.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR CHUCK WHILE HE'S HERE? I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. PLAN MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

MR. CROW MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

MOTION CARRIES.

GO AHEAD AND GET THESE SIGNED WHILE WE'RE HERE.

[00:05:01]

CHUCK, COME ON FORWARD.

LET US GET THIS SIGNED AND WE'LL.

YES, SIR.

GET YOU STARTED.

THIS SUSPENSE OF WAITING OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN.

HERE TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE TASK FORCE.

MS. BRENDA'S

[5. Brenda Callaway, P.E.: Discuss/Consider/Approve the authorization of the Addendum#3 to Task Order No. 20 between Kaufman County and Teague Nall and Perkins, Inc. for the SH 34-US 175 connector road in the amount of $8,000.00.]

NUMBER 20, BETWEEN KAUFMAN COUNTY AND TEGNA PERKINS FOR THE SOUTH HIGHWAY 34 1 75 CONNECT ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,000.

MORNING, MS. BRENDA.

UH, YES SIR.

THIS IS THE LAST PIECE OF THE 1 75 34 CONNECTOR ROAD THAT GOES AROUND THE JUSTICE CENTER.

WHEN TEGNA AND PERKINS WAS DOING THE ENGINEERING ON THIS, THEY HAD TO DO A HYDRAULIC STUDY AND THE FEMA FLOOD PLAIN.

SO THIS IS SUBMITTING THEIR STUDY REPORT TO FEMA FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.

AND THEN THIS ALSO ALLOWS FEMA TO UPDATE THE MAPS DURING THEIR NEXT REVISION TO SHOW THE CONNECTOR ROAD.

SO THERE, UH, SOME FOR THIS IS A FLAT FEE OF $8,000 AND WE HAVE THAT LEFT IN THE ACCOUNT FOR THE BACK ROAD.

HOW MUCH MONEY'S LEFT AFTER THIS? UM, AFTER THIS IS LEFT 34,000 THAT I'M ABOUT TO SPEND IN THE NEXT ITEM, WELL NOW .

I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MR. BOARD MAKES THE MOTION.

I HAVE A SECOND.

MR. FLYNN MAKES A SECOND.

SIX, MS. BRENDA, ONCE AGAIN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE AUTHORIZATION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN KAUFMAN COUNTY AND HDR FOR THE OUTER LOOP PROJECT AMOUNT OF $49,415.

MOTION CARRIES.

NUMBER

[6. Brenda Callaway, P.E.: Discuss/Consider/Approve the authorization of the Supplemental Agreement#1 between Kaufman County and HDR for the Outer Loop Project in the amount of $49,415.00.]

YES, MA'AM.

UM, SINCE THE SCOPING OF THIS PROJECT BACK IN THE, WHAT WAS IT, 20 20 20 21, TXDOT HAS TWO NEW REPORTS THAT THEY REQUIRE ON SCHEMATIC DEVELOPMENT.

PART OF IT'S THEIR REQUIREMENT PART IS THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION'S, UH, REQUIREMENT.

ONE OF THEM IS THE VULNERABLE ROAD USER REPORT.

AND WHAT WHERE THAT HAPPENS IS AT MAJOR INTERCHANGES, UM, CLOSE TO DEVELOPMENTS.

SO UP THERE AT 80 AND THE OUTER LOOP WHERE THEY'RE DOING THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, THEY NEEDED TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO TDOT THAT SHOWED THAT THE PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS WOULD BE ABLE TO SAFELY GET THROUGH THAT INTERCHANGE.

THE SECOND REPORT IS A INTERSECTION CONTROL EVALUATION.

SO WHAT FEMA'S, I MEAN, WHAT THE FHWA IS ASKING US TO DO IS LOOK AT EACH INDIVIDUAL INTERSECTION ALONG THE OUTER LOOP AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE SYMBOLIZED FOUR-WAY INTERSECTION IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE.

THAT THERE'S NOT A ROUNDABOUT OR SINGLE POINT INTERSECTION.

UM, THAT WOULD BE PREFERABLE.

SO HDR NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE TWO REPORTS AND THEY GAVE US A COST OF 49,000 415, 30 4,000 OF THAT WE PROPOSE TAKING FROM THE REMAINING CONNECTOR ROAD BALANCE 15,000 FROM, UM, THE BOND MANAGEMENT.

SO IT MAY IS UNFUNDED MANDATES.

WE HAVE TO DO REPORTS THAT THEY DIDN'T PAY FOR THAT THEY'RE REQUIRING AFTER THE FACT.

IT'S A GOOD THING WE HAVE A LITTLE MONEY LEFT OVER.

ANY OTHER? NOTHING ELSE.

NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. LANE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

MR. MOORE MAKES A SECOND.

A MOTION CARRIED.

THANK YOU MR. BRENDA.

NUMBER SEVEN, COMMISSIONER

[7. Commissioner Moore: Discuss/Consider/Approve the appointment of Paul F. Ayres to fill the unexpired term of Sommer Alford beginning on March 17, 2026 and ending on December 31, 2027 with ESD 7.]

MOORE DISCUSSED, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF PAUL AYS TO FILL THE UNCLASSIFIED TERM, UH, OF SUMMER OFFERED.

UH, I, I DID, UH, SPEAK WITH HIM AND ALSO COMMISSIONER CROW SPOKE TO HIM AS WELL.

OFFERED, UH, BEGINNING MARCH 17TH OF 26TH AND ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 27TH FOR SD SEVEN.

[00:10:02]

YESTERDAY.

YES.

Y YESTERDAY.

I THINK WE'RE ALL GOOD.

AND COMMISSIONER CROW, YOU GOOD WITH IT THEN? I THINK WE'RE, I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

ONCE AGAIN DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND APPROVE ENTERING TO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF COTTONWOOD FOR ADDING ROAD MATERIALS TO THE CITY PORSCHE OF KEN ROAD 40 83 IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,750, WHICH THAT ROAD NEEDS REALLY BAD.

MR. CROW MAKES THE MOTION.

COMMISSIONER MOORE MAKES A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AYE A MOTION CARRIES MR. MOORE

[8. Commissioner Moore: Discuss/Consider/Approve entering into an interlocal agreement with the City of Cottonwood for adding road material to the city portion of County Road 4083 in the amount of $99,750.00.]

YES, IT DOES.

AND THE CITY WAS ABLE THERE, UH, TO GET THE FUNDING FOR THAT AND THEY WANT US TO OIL SAND IT, SO, OKAY, WE'LL DO THAT.

SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT.

HAVE A MOTION.

COMMISSIONER MOORE.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

MR. LANE MAKES A SECOND.

A MOTION CARRIES.

LOOK HERE.

NUMBER

[9. Constable Johnson: Discuss/Consider/Approve the Deputation of Mason Albert Carnell as a Deputy Constable with Precinct#2 Constable's Office. To fill vacant patrol contract position in (191) Windmill Farm. ]

SO WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE DEPORTATION OF MASON ALBERT CARNE.

IS THAT RIGHT? CARNE? YES, SIR.

UH, IS THE DEPUTY CONSTABLE FOR PRECINCT TWO TO FILL VACANT IN POSSESSION OF UH, WINDMILL FARMS CONTRACT NUMBER 1 91? YES SIR.

THAT'S CORRECT.

UH, MR. UH, CORNELL GRADUATED THE ACADEMY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

STARTED OUT A SMALL AGENCY, UM, IS LOOKING TO GO SOMEWHERE WHERE HE CAN, UH, GROW AND INVEST WITH A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS TRANSPARENCY.

SO HE CAME TO US AND EVERYBODY LIKES HIM A LOT AND WE THINK HE'D BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE DEPARTMENT.

WHERE'S HE BEEN WORKING SINCE YOU GRADUATED? BLUE MOUND.

THIS WILL BE OUR SECOND ONE FROM BLUE MOUND.

I KIND OF FEEL SORRY FOR 'EM, BUT THAT'S WHAT IS THEY'RE RUNNING OUT.

THEY ARE, THEY'RE BAILING OUT.

THERE'S LOT STUFF.

PROBABLY PRETTY SHORT NOW.

CHIEF BY HIMSELF.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR CONSTABLE? NO, I'M NOT.

NEED A MOTION? I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. UH, SKE PHILLIPS MADE THE MOTION.

MR. CROW MADE THE SECOND.

I'M GONNA CALL HIM SCARFACE.

ALL IN FAVOR? SAY I.

MOTION CARRIE.

CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE APPROVAL OF DEPORTATION OF UH, ALBERT MASON CORNELL TO FILL THE VACANT PATROL POSITION.

COMMISSIONER, UH, MEAN COSAL JOHNSON GOT ME WAY OFF HERE.

, DISCUSS,

[10. Constable Johnson: Discuss/Consider/Approve Deputy Mason Albert Carnell to fill vacant patrol contract in (191) Windmill Farm with Precinct #2 Constable's Office. ]

1 91 WOMEN FARM PRECINCT TWO.

COSMO'S OFFICE.

YES SIR.

THAT'S CORRECT.

THIS POSITION HAS ALREADY BEEN CREATED AND APPROVED BY THE COURTS.

UM, AND SO HE WOULD GO INTO ONE OF THE OPEN FIELD POSITIONS THIS TIME.

MR. PHILLIPS MAKES THE MOTION.

THERE AGAIN I MAKE A MOTION.

HAVE A SECOND.

MR. K CROW MAKES A SECOND.

A MOTION CARRIES.

LORENA DISCUSS CONSIDERING TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF ROAD MATERIALS FROM TEXAS MATERIALS GROUP FOR WORK TO BE DONE ON COUNTY ROAD 40 11 IN PRECINCT FOUR, UTILIZING DALLAS COUNTY IFB 20 22 0 46, 69 61 AND ELLIS COUNTY'S RFB 20 24 0 10 IN THE AMOUNT OF $856,936 AND 34 CENTS.

YOU APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU J.

MR. MS.

[11. Lorena Diaz: Discuss/Consider/Approve the purchase of road materials from Texas Materials Group for work to be done on County Road 4011 in Precinct 4 utilizing Dallas County IFB 2022-046-6961 and Ellis County RFB 2024-101 in the amount of $856.936.34.]

BUT GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT MEETS SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS.

SO THE QUOTE AND THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

I REC, UM, MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE.

COMMISSIONER MOORE, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE A SECOND.

MR. LANE MAKES A SECOND.

AGAIN, MR. LORENA DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF ROAD MATERIALS FROM TEXAS MATERIALS GROUP FOR WORK TO BE DONE ON CANYON ROAD 40 12 AND PRECINCT FOUR.

A MOTION CARRIES.

ONCE

[12. Lorena Diaz: Discuss/Consider/Approve the purchase of road materials from Texas Materials Group for work to be done on County Road 4012 in Precinct 4 utilizing Dallas County IFB 2022-046-6961 and Ellis County RFB 2024-101 in the amount of $1,120.822.34.]

UTILIZING, UH, DALLAS COUNTY IFB 20 22 0 4 6 69 61 AND ELLIS COUNTY RFB 2024 DASH OH 10 IN AMOUNT OF $1,120,822 AND 34 CENTS.

SAME THING HERE.

THE QUOTE AND THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN REVIEWED.

IT MEETS SPECIFICATIONS AND PROCUREMENT, UM, REQUIREMENTS.

I MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE COMMISSIONER MOORE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

MR. MOORE MAKES THE MOTION TO HAVE SECOND.

I'LL SECOND MR. PHILLIP, MAKE SECOND.

CONSIDER LINE ITEM TRANSFERS.

A MOTION.

THANK YOU LORENA.

THANK YOU MS. AUDITOR.

[13. Auditor: Discuss/Consider line item and budget transfers/corrections. ]

SO WE HAVE A FEW ROUTINE LINE ITEM TRANSFERS AND THEN WE HAVE A FEW CLEANUP ITEMS FOR CLOSING YEAR END FY 25.

AND WE ASK FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL.

YOU HAVE ALL SEEN THESE? ANY QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? NO.

I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR YOU.

MR. PHIPPS MAKES THE MOTION OF SECOND.

ALTER DISCUSS CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT.

MR. CROW MAKES SECOND.

[00:15:01]

[14. Auditor: Discuss/Consider claims for payment and/or Financial Information as provided by the County Auditor. ]

THIS WEEK WE HAVE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE INVOICES, MOSTLY MADE UP OF COUNTY ROAD, UM, EXPENDITURES AND OPERATING LEASES.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A REGULAR PAYROLL AND WE ASK FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL TO PAY ANY QUESTIONS? NOT NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

MR. LANE MAKES A MOTION.

DO I HAVE A SECOND? SORRY.

MR. MOORE, MAKE A SECOND.

A MOTION CARRIES BEFORE WE ADJOURN, BRANDON AND I WAS TALKING LAST WEEK OR WEEK BEFORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT WE'RE SPENDING EACH MONTH OVER LAST YEAR.

AND WITH ALL THE NEW EMPLOYEES AND EVERYTHING, IT'S AVERAGING CLOSE TO 2 MILLION A MONTH DIFFERENCE.

SO WE'RE GROWING.

WE'RE GROWING, BUT THAT'S THE REASON WE'RE ALSO WATCHING WHAT WE SPEND.

MM-HMM .

SO JUST ALWAYS KEEP THAT IN MIND.

[15. Adjourn Meeting]

TO ADJOURN.

MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER PHILLIPS.

HAVE A SECOND.

MR. CROW MAKES A SECOND.